Eagles acquire Darren Sproles in trade with Saints

Sproles has reportedly wound up in the NFC East, but he won’t be playing in Washington. Jason LaCanfora of CBS Sports reports that the Eagles have jumped their divisional rivals and completed a trade for the veteran back. PFT has confirmed that the deal is done and Sproles is headed to the City of Brotherly Love.

Sproles’ ability as a pass catcher out of the backfield should make him a natural fit in the Philadelphia offense, especially with coach Chip Kelly’s long history of turning smaller backs into receiving weapons while he was the coach at the University of Oregon. Some of those Ducks were ill-suited to the NFL, but Sproles’ ability to impact games is well documented and his arrival adds to an already impressive array of offensive options in Philly.

The return game could also get a boost from Sproles’ presence. There’s no word on compensation yet, but the Eagles currently have seven picks in the 2014 draft including an extra fifth-round selection as a result of trading defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga to the Patriots.

Sproles wasn’t keen on the idea of a trade because he wanted to pick his own landing spot, but it’s hard to think of many that fit his skills better than Philadelphia.

Taking some hits off McCoy, and, when McCoy gets injured at some point just because it’s inevitable (especially given the strict concussion protocol) the offense can keep rolling with no disruption in philosophy.

I think any Philly fan screaming championship in this town right now are delusional. But this is a solid move. Shady and Sproles? Wow, that’s a nice one two punch baby!! Great move Birds!! Superbowl here we come!! lol.

southpaw2k says:Mar 13, 2014 9:19 AM

If the Eagles beef up their run defense through the draft, I don’t think it’s crazy to think they have quickly become one of the top teams in the NFC.

A lot of speed on Philly’s offense – McCoy, D. Jackson, Maclin… and now Sproles. Chip Kelly’s ability to space players in creative ways makes this an even more dangerous attack. Defense still needs to improve, which I will expect they will continue to build mostly through the draft. But when you add a player like Sproles to your team that is a very good thing. Especially for a 5th round draft pick.

I understand that everyone needs to stay healthy. But seriously? Maclin, Jackson, Ertz/Celek, Shady and Sproles on the field at the same time? That is absolutely disgusting.

Trade Graham and a 3rd rounder to Miami for Dion Jordan and draft a CB/S in rounds 1 and 2.

I hate to get too excited after getting my heart broken with years of great offseasons, but how can you not get excited?

I’ll say this right now too, bringing in Tom Gamble from SF has helped this team immensely. You have to wonder how much he influences Howie, but from the time he’s arrived it’s been nothing but smart decisions made.

So since the compensation was a 5th round pick, the Eagles essentially traded Isaac Sopoaga last year for Darren Sproles this year. Not a bad trade. Sproles is the perfect fit for what Kelly likes to do.

Not to be a hater, BUT, my recollection of Sproles from last year is a kinda fat guy who no longer was that fast. If they get the 2010 Sproles that’s great, but the Sproles I saw last year was nothing to get excited about and he is a year older. Hope he is a good addition as I think Kelly is a breath of fresh air in a very stale NFL but might wanna wait and see.

And jbaxt clearly doesn’t watch any football. In what season was this offence 8 and 8? And actually this is the perfect fit for sproles. It doesn’t shoot the eagles up past Seattle or San Fran but it does make us even better than the NFC east and adds another weapon to the second best offence in the league

So glad to know that my Bears don’t play the Eagles next season, unless it’s the post-season. Mainly after last seasons 50 burger the Eagles fed the Bears, we need a year to recover from that and now this signing…..scary to have McCoy and Sproles in that offense!

mogogo1 says:Mar 13, 2014 3:29 PM

Pretty awesome for Sproles. Lands in a place where he should fit in great on a team where things are looking brighter than they have for a while.